Day 3 Niagara Falls and somewhere in Ohio

We woke up early this morning to head out to Niagara Falls, we stayed in a nice Days Inn just outside "the Falls" so we were only about 10 minuets away. When we got to there it was a bit overcast and chilly. But we took in the amazing sight anyway. WOW it really is something. It's huge. It wasn't as loud as I thought it would be though.


We took the kids to the aquarium to satisfy their curious minds. It was small but nice. They had penguins, sharks, and really cute sea lions. By the time we left the aquarium the sun was out and it was beautiful.


When we walked back to the falls and took another look it was so much clearer and we got sight of a rainbow or as Peter called it a "mistbow". It was really something. I was too chicken to go on "the Maid of the Mist" a boat that takes you pretty close to the bottom of the falls. We bought a trolley ticket and headed for a different adventure. We chose to do "the cave of the winds" tour. This tour brings you as close to the Falls as you can get. First you get a new pair of sandals...no kidding. Peter and debated if they were new or just cleaned but the girl informed us they were new. Why do you need sandals? Well you also get a yellow rain poncho. Any guesses why you need that? You get completely soaked! You take an elevator ride down to the bottom of the falls. You then walk up a series of wooden stairs that are just feet away from the the water rushing over the falls. You get a Niagara Falls shower. There was one spot where to few brave stood and they literally were engulfed in water. We didn't dare. Elijah especially loved this. He had a huge smile on his face the whole time and when it was done he said "Let's do it again". After the tour you dispose of your ponchos and you can donate your sandals to a charity that gives them people in undeveloped countries. So they got all the Pellerin's sandals. I thought that was really thoughtful for them to do that.


After the "the cave of the winds" tour we got back on the trolley and called it a day. I couldn't believe how many people were there. I mean mobs of people from all over the world. We were a long way from Topsfield.


We ended the day in Montpelier OH...almost to the state line into Indiana. We drove from Niagara Falls to our resting spot in about 7 hours. We stopped at a Ramada Inn because they had an indoor pool and I promised the boys a swim if they were good and they were so my promise was kept.




Here's the "Mistbow"

A bridge on the way to the aquarium.

Mom and the boys.

The falls you see closest are the American Falls...the one in the back are the horseshoe and are on the Canadian side.

At the base of the American Side.
Ready to get wet!

Day two 530 miles of driving.

Day two of our adventure...seriously spent the day in the car driving. We left Portland at 7:30 and had decided we wanted to be in Niagara Falls NY by dinner. We did but wow that was allot of driving. The kids did SO great today. They watched a movie, used their children's atlas', played DS, and took a nap. So there aren't too many pictures from today, but tomorrow is our big trip to the Falls. I am off to research what we should do and see.

(above)The bridge leaving Maine and entering in to New Hampshire...surprisingly I didn't start crying.

(below) Massachusetts welcomes us. And then the New York sign.

(above) Dinner finally....Elijah loves garlic bread and spaghetti so he was one happy kid. We ate this little Italian place and they kids couldn't resist throwing some pennies into the fountain.

Day One

As I write this entry I can't believe the day has arrived that we are actually leaving Maine. The movers came with their big truck,packed and loaded everything. It was fast.

Saying goodbye to friends and family has been one of the hardest things I've had to do in my entire life. I have never been more than 4 hour drive from my parents. I feel bad that I took that for granted. I have complained with one good friend that we lived so far away and it just wasn't fair. Now a few hours in the car seems so trivial. I also wish I would have spent more time with my friend right up the road from me. I just assumed it would always be so.

But saying good bye to the faces is hard. Everyone keeps saying "we'll come and visit" and "good thing we have the phone and facebook" and while I know these are said with all the warmest sentiments I'd rather have them right down the road. It won't be the same and I am preparing myself for that.

The other day I was in prayer telling the Lord "you must think I am so strong to throw all this at me. I am having another baby, my husband lost his job, we're moving across the country, I am saying goodbye to my family, to friends, all seems to be a lot" I was surprised at the answer I got. "I know you're not strong, but in your weakness I am strong" I starting to realize it isn't about me. It isn't about how hard it is for me, how sad I am , how anxious I am. It is about Him. It is about His plan. It is about Him showing Himself to me, to Peter, to the boys in a new way.

Then I starting to realize in the midst of everything I think has gone "wrong", so many things have gone right. The Lord never promised that this life would be easy. But He did promise He would never leave us. I have many things to praise the Lord for. First that I have such a wonderful family and great friends that have impacted my life in such a wonderful way. I have loved much and some people never experience that in their lives. I have a two beautiful, healthy children and another on the way. I have a husband who loves me and the children. God has provided a wonderful job in a time where jobs, any job is hard to come by. He is provided above and beyond for us in this move. Almost as if to say "I know it's hard and I am going to make all the details fall right into place" So many doors have been open with amazing blessings behind them.

I am not saying I am a super spiritual giant now and I am all smiles and giggles as we stay our first night in a hotel. I am still very broken hearted. I am still so sad. But I can still praise the Lord with a broken heart. I still praise the Lord through my tears. It's not a feeling, it is a choice. And I choose to give Him glory because glory is due.

I can't wait to share with everyone all the great things God shows us on our trip and as we settle in in Washington.

To our friends and family, you are with us in our hearts and in our prayers and we take you with us.



Here's the HUGE truck pulling up to our house.
The boys in front of the back of the truck with all the packing supplies. I didn't have to lift a finger...pretty sweet deal.

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

Happy Mother's day! Mom you are such an amazing gift in my life. You often say how thankful you are to have me as your daughter, but truly I am blessed that God chose you to be my mother. You have been there for me through so many good times and also the rough times. Even to this day as a grown women with children of my own there are times that I just want my mom. You still comfort me and somehow when you say every things going to be alright I believe it.

I am overwhelmed with sadness to leave and be so far from you. Some days I just don't think I can do it. I wish you could come with me. I know there will be days again when I will just want my mom and to think of how far apart we will be makes me feel alone already. I do know that no distance between us will ever change the bond we share as mother and daughter, as friends and above all sisters in the Lord. I am holding on to that so tightly as we move.

I can't believe that soon I will have a daughter of my own and I am already praying that we have the close relationship that you and I share.

I love you deeply. Happy Mother's Day.

Love, Bethany

Closing Co-Op Program

The boys have had such a great experience this year at the homeschool co-op. They enjoyed their classes and having the chance to be with their friends. Isaiah took a science class and an art class and Elijah took a nature studies class and physical education class. Last night was the closing program for the co-op. It went by so fast.

Isaiah's science class receiving certificates. (Isaiah is the 4th from the left)

Elijah was very excited to show off his nature study notebook to dad.

Here's Isaiah showing off his art portfolio to dad.

Boys being boys.

Here's the display from the art class I taught. Each week we studied a new artist and then being inspired by a body of work they created, the kids created their own piece of art work.

Me and my Girl

Thank you to Susen Photography (Sara) for these pics. I love them. I can't wait to share these with my daughter! They are just so special!

So long paper mill

After 9 years of working at the paper mill in Woodland, today is Peter's last day. The mill is shutting down. It's hard to believe that we have been in this area for 9 years. We moved here as newlyweds pregnant with our first child. There have been hard times and great times in these last years. We have seen God work in our lives and in the lives of those around us in some amazing ways. I have mixed emotions today...sadness, excitement, hope, but above all peace. I know that God has us in His hand is leading us to a good place. He has proved Himself faithful yet again over the past few months. He has blessed us with this pregnancy, provided us with a great job, but above all is that peace. I can't wait to start the next chapter in our lives!